Middlekauff previews the upcoming NFL Wild Card Weekend games, discusses Reuben Foster getting a second set of domestic violence charges dropped, the media malpractice in reporting the story, and answers listener questions in Middlekauff's Mailbag.

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Middlekauff previews the upcoming NFL Wild Card Weekend games, discusses Reuben Foster getting a second set of domestic violence charges dropped, the media malpractice in reporting the story, and answers listener questions in Middlekauff's Mailbag. Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>

Former NFL scout John Middlekauff gives his one-of-a-kind perspective on the latest stories in college and pro football.

Former NFL scout John Middlekauff gives his one-of-a-kind perspective on the latest stories in college and pro football.

3 and Out with John Middlekauff

Wild Card Weekend Preview; Reuben Foster media malpractice

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/53b668d9-7386-48fb-b11b-ae33007dff01/transcript

Marker 01

On this episode of 3 & Out, John is pumped with football officially back. He opens on Carson Beck's Hall of Fame Game debut (01:46) and why a third-round quarterback's path is fundamentally different from a first-rounder's: you're not a five-star on scholarship, you're a backup until proven otherwise, and your preseason tape is your résumé.He likes the landing spot for Beck and explains why guys like Chase Daniel built 14-year careers almost entirely on August film. From there, he breaks down the 2026 Hall of Fame class (11:09) — Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri which John argues may be the highest-character group Canton has ever enshrined at once, plus a sober note on Roger Craig's dementia diagnosis and the taped acceptance.

Teddy Bridgewater's retirement (16:34) becomes John's case against the Lions, the one thing he thinks Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have done poorly while otherwise resurrecting the franchise. Investing everything in Jared Goff without ever churning cheap arms behind him is a portfolio with no diversification — and he contrasts it with the Packers' Ron Wolf philosophy and the Eagles taking a Day 3 quarterback nearly every single year. He gets into the Colts hyping Daniel Jones and Riley Leonard apparently beating out Anthony Richardson (24:53), why training camp praise from famous teammates should be discounted (27:54) with a detour into why Saban and Belichick were at their best after losses and the Cowboys (31:04), where he's bullish on the roster but not on Brian Schottenheimer's Super Bowl talk. Predictions on the Saints, Cowboys and Texans (34:31), Kyle Shanahan's concussion protocol and a rant about cross-country preseason travel (35:14), and the injury board (36:19). He closes with the Kirk Cousins–Maxx Crosby scuffle and why Klint Kubiak handled it perfectly (41:16), the compounding advantage of growing up in a football family (42:35), and a Newport Beach staycation that turned into a $60 million ocean-view real estate rant (44:11).

Follow John on Twitter, and Instagram for the latest. 

All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet

#Volume

On this episode of 3 &amp; Out, John is pumped with football officially back. He opens on Carson Beck's Hall of Fame Game debut (01:46) and why a third-round quarterback's path is fundamentally different from a first-rounder's: you're not a five-star on scholarship, you're a backup until proven otherwise, and your preseason tape is your r&eacute;sum&eacute;.He likes the landing spot for Beck and explains why guys like Chase Daniel built 14-year careers almost entirely on August film. From there, he breaks down the 2026 Hall of Fame class (11:09) &mdash; Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri which John argues may be the highest-character group Canton has ever enshrined at once, plus a sober note on Roger Craig's dementia diagnosis and the taped acceptance.
Teddy Bridgewater's retirement (16:34) becomes John's case against the Lions, the one thing he thinks Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have done poorly while otherwise resurrecting the franchise. Investing everything in Jared Goff without ever churning cheap arms behind him is a portfolio with no diversification &mdash; and he contrasts it with the Packers' Ron Wolf philosophy and the Eagles taking a Day 3 quarterback nearly every single year. He gets into the Colts hyping Daniel Jones and Riley Leonard apparently beating out Anthony Richardson (24:53), why training camp praise from famous teammates should be discounted (27:54) with a detour into why Saban and Belichick were at their best after losses and the Cowboys (31:04), where he's bullish on the roster but not on Brian Schottenheimer's Super Bowl talk. Predictions on the Saints, Cowboys and Texans (34:31), Kyle Shanahan's concussion protocol and a rant about cross-country preseason travel (35:14), and the injury board (36:19). He closes with the Kirk Cousins&ndash;Maxx Crosby scuffle and why Klint Kubiak handled it perfectly (41:16), the compounding advantage of growing up in a football family (42:35), and a Newport Beach staycation that turned into a $60 million ocean-view real estate rant (44:11).
Follow John on<a href="https://twitter.com/TheVolumeSports"> Twitter</a>, and Instagram for the latest.&nbsp;
All lines provided by <a href="http://hardrock.bet/">Hard Rock Bet</a>
#Volume

Carson Beck’s Debut, 2026 Hall Of Fame Class, Bridgewater Retires, Cowboys Super Bowl Talk

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/258a4cc9-7d42-4bb1-929b-b4a200102d75/transcript

Jonathan Taylor gets paid 

What makes football so different

Hall of Fame inductions

Ad Marker

Fugazi Friday

Mailbag

On this episode of 3 & Out, John Middlekauff dives into Jonathan Taylor's contract extension and what the new deal means for the Indianapolis Colts, the running back market, and the value of elite talent at the position.

John also breaks down the rise of Kahlil Benson with the Kansas City Chiefs, discussing why the young player is generating buzz and what has stood out during training camp.

With Hall of Fame Weekend here, John looks back at Adam Vinatieri's incredible NFL journey, from his clutch postseason performances to his place among the greatest kickers in league history. What made Vinatieri so special, and why does his career stand out even among the NFL's all-time greats?

Then it's time for Fugazi Friday, as John reacts to something extremely personal to him.

To wrap things up, it's another edition of the Middlekauff Mailbag, where John answers listener questions and tackles the biggest stories from around the NFL and beyond.

From contract extensions and rising players to Hall of Fame careers, media controversies, and fan questions, it's all covered on this episode of 3 & Out.

Follow John on Twitter, and Instagram for the latest. 

All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet

#Volume

On this episode of&nbsp;3 &amp; Out, John Middlekauff dives into Jonathan Taylor's contract extension and what the new deal means for the Indianapolis Colts, the running back market, and the value of elite talent at the position.
John also breaks down the rise of Kahlil Benson with the Kansas City Chiefs, discussing why the young player is generating buzz and what has stood out during training camp.
With Hall of Fame Weekend here, John looks back at Adam Vinatieri's incredible NFL journey, from his clutch postseason performances to his place among the greatest kickers in league history. What made Vinatieri so special, and why does his career stand out even among the NFL's all-time greats?
Then it's time for Fugazi Friday, as John reacts to something extremely personal to him.
To wrap things up, it's another edition of the Middlekauff Mailbag, where John answers listener questions and tackles the biggest stories from around the NFL and beyond.
From contract extensions and rising players to Hall of Fame careers, media controversies, and fan questions, it's all covered on this episode of&nbsp;3 &amp; Out.
Follow John on<a href="https://twitter.com/TheVolumeSports" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/TheVolumeSports&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1785888253210000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3qGcyaQuYJCzlvMQ7QwBAE">&nbsp;Twitter</a>, and Instagram&nbsp;for the latest.&nbsp;
All lines provided by&nbsp;<a href="http://hardrock.bet/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://hardrock.bet&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1785888253210000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2FBZCA9XcA91Vjhx56QUZt">Hard Rock Bet</a>
#Volume

Jonathan Taylor’s BIG Extension, Hall of Fame Weekend, Fugazi Friday & NFL Training Camp Mailbag

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3dbd1cb9-e287-406c-93ee-b49f0097ec32/transcript

Hard Knocks Ep. 1

football players are nerds

49ers injuries

Aaron Donald looks to be coming back

Vita wants to get traded NOW

Game in Aussie

John Harbaugh and Dart

Carson Beck is starting

Jalon Walker out for the season

On this episode of 3 & Out, John Middlekauff reacts to Episode 1 of HBO's Hard Knocks, breaking down the biggest moments, standout personalities, and what the premiere revealed about life inside an NFL training camp.

John also explains why football players are some of the biggest "nerds" in sports, discussing the obsessive attention to detail, film study, preparation, and football IQ that separates the NFL's best from everyone else.

Plus, the 49ers continue to battle injuries, and John examines why San Francisco can't seem to catch a break. Is it simply bad luck, or is there a bigger story behind the team's recurring health issues?

The conversation also turns to the latest rumors surrounding Aaron Donald's potential return to the NFL. With speculation continuing to build, John weighs in on whether the future Hall of Famer is truly on the verge of making a comeback and what it would mean for the league.

John also reacts to Giants head coach John Harbaugh getting frustrated with how Jaxson Dart handled himself at the end of practice.

To wrap things up, it's another edition of the Middlekauff Mailbag, where John answers listener questions and dives into the biggest topics from around the NFL.

From training camp storylines and quarterback development to comeback rumors and behind-the-scenes insight, it's all covered on this episode of 3 & Out.

Follow John on Twitter, and Instagram for the latest. 

All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet

#Volume

On this episode of&nbsp;3 &amp; Out, John Middlekauff reacts to Episode 1 of HBO's&nbsp;Hard Knocks, breaking down the biggest moments, standout personalities, and what the premiere revealed about life inside an NFL training camp.
John also explains why football players are some of the biggest "nerds" in sports, discussing the obsessive attention to detail, film study, preparation, and football IQ that separates the NFL's best from everyone else.
Plus, the 49ers continue to battle injuries, and John examines why San Francisco can't seem to catch a break. Is it simply bad luck, or is there a bigger story behind the team's recurring health issues?
The conversation also turns to the latest rumors surrounding Aaron Donald's potential return to the NFL. With speculation continuing to build, John weighs in on whether the future Hall of Famer is truly on the verge of making a comeback and what it would mean for the league.
John also reacts to Giants head coach John Harbaugh getting frustrated with how Jaxson Dart handled himself at the end of practice.
To wrap things up, it's another edition of the Middlekauff Mailbag, where John answers listener questions and dives into the biggest topics from around the NFL.
From training camp storylines and quarterback development to comeback rumors and behind-the-scenes insight, it's all covered on this episode of&nbsp;3 &amp; Out.
Follow John on<a href="https://twitter.com/TheVolumeSports" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/TheVolumeSports&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1785888253210000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3qGcyaQuYJCzlvMQ7QwBAE">&nbsp;Twitter</a>, and Instagram&nbsp;for the latest.&nbsp;
All lines provided by&nbsp;<a href="http://hardrock.bet/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://hardrock.bet&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1785888253210000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2FBZCA9XcA91Vjhx56QUZt">Hard Rock Bet</a>
#Volume

Hard Knocks Episode 1 Reactions, Aaron Donald Comeback Buzz, 49ers Injury Woes & Mailbag

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/329d1828-d957-4f7e-af8d-b49e00030b5a/transcript

Wild Card Weekend Preview; Reuben Foster media malpractice

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